Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-12-01

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| Kansas:
FELLOW TEACHERS AND CITIZENS:
1t is apparent TO casual observers, that, the in
crease in material wealth of Central Kansas; the
rapid growth in all enterprises; and the founding Of
little cities which enjoy all the modern conveniences
| of metropolis, have brought with them flood OF
sentiment favor of public schools and higher edu
cation 1t is pleasure TO remember tonight that
this city whose hospitaities enjoying, has
received bountiful share of substantial prepara-
! ton for this work. While high schools have been
graded, and colleges built in many places, Great
Bend has been selected for both, and her citizens,
! are be congratulated
To the teachers, ii would seem that the first duty
| incumbent upon me, is to acknOwlege to you per-
sonalIy my appreciation OF the honor Of presiding
al this great educational gathering In attempt
ing 10 discharge the duties OF president, feelings OF
| inexperience and nlisgving Overshadow me.
In figure those feelings of boy in mans cloths,
| continually honors me. Trusting that nothing so
uncomfortable as 4 mistake, will demand appol-
ogy, or anything so substantial parliamentary
law fall athwart my narrow official path, bow to
| your demands
deem it no small honor to deliver before this as
sociation the first annual address, which will estab
lish the custom, least coeval, if coextensive
with its meetings.
Without precedent TO guide, Owen Meri-
deth said ''unable discover footprints in the
sands before me- the hardships of exploration
but the right and glory of discovery are mine.
This is an age of advanced thought in education
and great activity in educational advancement
School journals, summer normas institutes and
teachers meetings all unite in giving better quail
fcations to the teachers. The progressive teacher
catches the spirit OF the times and adopts with en-
thusiasm all methods of improvement proposed in
Lii. -
sas have assembled in consultation for the first time
Do the questions OF to-day justify such call? Are
not the needs OF the hour of great importance? by
| this meeting we determine whether educational
| current is flowing, III what direction, and at what
velocity. The spirit OF the assembled teachers in
| discussion of ideas, in receiving truths
and in abandoning obsolete plans will bear tangible
results, which shall ''cheer the hearts of the true
| hearted apostles of progress"
There is need of organization among the workers.
| There are current questions of great moment, TO
answer which, requires more than speculative phil
osophy and there acquisitions at the hands of
educators. that only concentrated efforts and we'll
defined purpose can meet. To acquaint ourselves
with the requirements of position and to i'm
prove ourselves were the thoughts most prominent
in calling this convention. Ptiable indeed, were
| it, ii personal aggrandizement or mutual admira-
ton furnished the motive for such a scheme. At
this point am reminded that to a maj ority
of the teachers assembled, brief history of this
ganiz;tion and its aims. Last winter while study
ing the educational work of the state, dscove cred
that four districts bearing the name, each of semi
cardual part of the state, hold annual meetings. to
discuss the best methods of instruction and dis
cipline. Those districts in leave the central
and western portions unorganized. From this suf-
cient reason 10 justify their movement is EVIDENT
but str onger still remains; i'll my acluaint-
ance with the state association, the wants of the
teachers, west of the sixth principal meridian,
are not considered, and seldom do they have part
| in that body. Whether they have needs: whether
| tney are unknowr OF, whether they are beyond
the pale OF sympathy and ignored, charity ans
wers, unknown. Without bitterness, retaliation, it
seemed TO me- that ga more perfect union', TO the
end that may enjoy the fellowship OF our superb
ors in the profession, would aid the cause which
have espoused
Those associations are independent of each other
| and independent of the state association.
| To make them dependent. and enlarged the
fulness of the state association the plan proposed
was: First-to establish society superior to the
county teachers organizations, serond-that each
county be allowed to send, to the meetings repre-
sentatives in proportion to its membership, though
Il general attendance be solicited Third-then this
central and the four districts send delegates to the
state association and have voice in the executive
committee, which has the right OF representation
! in the national educational association.
! This would mite in common interest method
| ica plan of public professional improvement The
brief of this was submitted friends who urged its
adoptons, among thon was our co-laborer and vice
! president, Superintendent Reecc.
! Correspondence with superintendents and princi-
pal teachers of seventeen central counties, result in
| Al.
Goth. The action OF that body may be found in the
secretary's report.
In introducing briet discussion of the subject
"The Workers and Work" We grant illogical ar
rangement when measured by the standard OF popu=
lar usage but neither deduction. induction vio=
Iates logic when either best serves the subject in
hand but invite the consideration OF the cause,
when introduce the workers. before studying their
| effect, the work Our workers may be defined by a
SYNONYM, the teachers Collectively they are known
out side OF the professo possessing all of the
natural endowments OF varying height from the
modern giant to the busting dwarf; in complexion
from those of ebon hue TO the fairest blonde; in
physique, from the model athlete the halt and
maned; in temperament from the sanguine 10 the
lymphatic, in disposition, from the grave and sedate
Henry 1. to the "Jolly of Pedagogue" In age from
tender youth to senilty in all intellectual
attainments, from h W h o unlock
the treasures Of classic lore and enjoy their
beauty, to stumblers along the kings highway. To
the profession in this western country, they are as
plants of genus; but of many species. Many are
deciduouS, few perennial; some are so eyanescent
they perish in the full harves; of summer. while
few linger until the sanity frost or autumnal
winds have nipped aud withered their leaves
To the patrons, their coming Individually is not
unlike their professional life, sudden and hrief.
How often in the district has there appeared q
stranger with visible authority in the way OF eer=
tifcate make application Tor the winter term
school. lie is engaged and at the appointed time
begins the work. After teaching term of six OF
eight months the children and most OF the patrons